Description

[Lincoln Assassination Trial] David Hunter Trial Pass Signed
"D. Hunter". One page blank pass, Washington, 1865, 3.5" x
2". On May 1, 1865, President Andrew Johnson signed a controversial
Executive Order to form a nine-man military commission to
adjudicate John Wilkes Booth's conspirators in the assassination of
President Abraham Lincoln and attempted overthrow of the Federal
Government. The trial, lasting from May 10 to June 30, was presided
over by General David Hunter. The other members of the commission
consisted of Lew Wallace, August V. Kautz, Alvin P. Howe, Robert S.
Foster, James E. Eken, T.M. Harris, C.H. Tompkins, and David R.
Clendenin. The prosecution was chaired by Judge Advocate General
Joseph Holt. The proceedings concluded with the pronouncement of
guilty verdicts for all the conspirators. Mary E. Surratt, Lewis
Thornton Powell (alias "Payne"), George A. Atzerodt, and David E.
Herold were sentenced to death; Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, Michael
O'Laughlin, and Samuel B. Arnold were sentenced to life
imprisonment at hard labor; Edman Spangler was given six years at
hard labor. The executions were carried out on July 7, 1865.
Spangler, Arnold, and Mudd were pardoned in 1869; O'Lauglin died
the previous year while incarcerated.

Hunter (1802-1886), a close Lincoln friend, accompanied the
president-elect for a portion of his inaugural journal from
Springfield to Washington and commanded the detail that escorted
the return of his body to Illinois. Considered one of Lincoln's
more controversial generals - a man absolutely despised in the
South - Hunter first entered military service after graduating from
West Point in 1822. During the War he held several posts including:
commanding the 2nd Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia;
commanding brigade, Division of the Potomac; commanding Western
Department; commanding Department of Kansas; commanding Department
of the South; and commanding the Department of West Virginia. He
was severely wounded while leading one of two divisions on the
flank march at the 1st Bull Run. After his recovery and service in
other posts - including replacing the command of General John C.
Fremont - in late 1862, Hunter found himself in South Carolina.
Hunter would infuriate Confederates in that state by announcing the
"abolition" of slavery in the department and forming the 1st South
Carolina Colored Infantry. Washington, still hoping for a peace
proposal, disavowed his policies. He earned a regular brevet to
brigadier for his victory at Piedmont under U.S. Grant. Hunter's
policy of burning Confederate land and properties - including the
torching of the Virginia Governor's residence and the Virginia
Military Institute - earned him a death sentence if ever captured.
His presiding over the trial of the conspirators was his last
active role in military service. Mounting remnants on verso. Slight
trim to card, minor age, foxing; fine.

Auction Info

Auction Dates

November, 2008

20thThursday

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